Explains what total quality management is, and advises on its implementation. Sets out a definition of total quality management that takes into account employees and customers, as well as the business needs of the organization, arguing that this definition provides a mindset that makes successful implementation more likely. Stresses that there is no custom-made strategy for implementing total quality management, outlining how to tailor total quality management to the organization. Identifies the building blocks of this strategy as being the organization’s product, its commitment, leadership and the processes it uses to make the product or deliver the service. Explains how to put these together too, depending on whether the organization is a low, medium or high performer. Sees teamwork as being indispensable to total quality management implementation, describing the contribution it makes, and discussing how to achieve its implementation alongside total quality management.

The Home Office is to attempt much greater accuracy and consistency in the collection of information about crime. It admits that the current crime statistics it works to can be inaccurate, and do not match the picture of crime as experienced by people on the streets. Reliable statistics are seen as essential to better identify crime trends and enable the police to direct activity more effectively and efficiently.The “Review of Crime Statistics” consultation paper contains proposals to provide for greater accuracy and consistency in data collection across the 43 police forces and improve the way in which information on crime is presented and interpreted. Sensitive to accusations of figure-rigging, the Government is keen to stress that the review is a genuine attempt to improve crime data, which has cross-party support.

The Government has backed a new report which supports its linkage between investment in public transport and combating social exclusion. Among the aims of its recently announced ten-year plan is to direct money to the transport needs of those living in deprived neighbourhoods. The new study shows the links between public transport and social exclusion in urban and rural areas across England. It also identifies the contribution that public transport can make to reduce levels of social exclusion.’Social Exclusion and the Provision and Availability of Public Transport’ was produced by TRaC (Transport Research and Consultancy) at the University of North London for the DETR. The Government has called for joined up working between the traditional transport sector, local and central government. It says that the report backs up the notion that transport has other social, health, and economic functions, which need to be recognised by transport planners and providers.